Baggage

Read

Isaiah 57:18-19, “I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn. I offer peace to all, both near and far.”

Think

“We can’t change, but God can change us!”

There is something comforting about a warm fire on a cold, wintery day. After being outside in the cold, you walk into the house and there is the inviting opportunity to be warmed. While a fire offers great potential for comfort, we don’t experience its benefit until we get close to it. No matter how much we believe the fire could benefit us, as long as we stay outside in the cold, the fire does us no good.

God has an incredible offer for us, but until you get close to God, you will never benefit from it. So what does it mean to get close enough to God to experience his offer?

First, just like you don’t have to get warm before you stand in front of the fire, you don’t have to “get right” before you get close to God. He wants you exactly as you are. Second, God loves you too much to leave you the way you are. So, he teaches us a better way to live through the Bible. And if we ask for God’s help, he will be there to heal, lead, help and comfort.

Act

Make it personal! Put your name in today’s verse. “I have seen how _____ has acted, but I will heal him. I will lead ______ and help ______, and I will comfort _______ when he mourns. I will offer peace to ______, both near and far.”

Pray

God, thank you that I can come to you exactly the way I am and know with confidence that you love me and want the best for me. Please guide me away from the things that are not your best for me so I can experience the great things you have in store for my life. Amen.